Everton prospect Mason Holgate has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of John Stones by playing for England.

Barnsley academy coach Mark Burton, who oversaw the development of both players at Oakwell, believes Holgate can become a top-class centre back in the future, and says Ronald Koeman is the perfect coach to help mould him into just that.

Burton told The Yorkshire Post: “Mason has a good temperament and he will need to cement his place at Everton.

“But he is playing for England U21s now, so why shouldn’t he make that step up like Stones? And to see them both in the back four in two or three years would be brilliant.

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“He can read the game and is comfortable of stepping in and trying to play out, like Stones. It would be lovely to see them both playing at centre-half for England in the future. Mason has every chance and just has to keep grounded.

“But he has a great manager in Koeman and he will know all about his development and while he will play him at right back, he will think in his own mind that he will be a centre-half in the future.”

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Holgate moved from Barnsley in August 2015, but didn’t make his competitive debut for the Blues until the opening day of this season.

He has started each of Everton’s four games so far, impressing as a right-sided defender – particularly in dealing with Stoke star Marko Arnautovic last time out. His form has been enough to earn him a first call up to England’s U21 squad for the recent Euro qualifier with Norway.

“Mason has a really good career ahead of him,” Burton added. “He had a spell at Leeds United at 13, but we got him back here and did not pay any compensation as he wanted to come back.

“We have a philosophy of playing out from the back at the club and Mason was one of those who could drop into midfield as well.

“He played at centre-half and is now starting at right-back. But he will end up as a centre-half without a shadow of a doubt.”

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